CONTRACT BRIDGE

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 14 (Supplement)

CONTRACT BRIDGE

The Portland Club drew a bye in the first round of the inter-club tournament, and played its first match (in the second round), when it won against the Junior Carlton Club by tbe small margin of G7O points. At half-time the Junior Carlton Club was leading by about the same margin. The match throughout was so close that it provided the most intense excitement. When the last band was dealt the net score was only 80 points In favour of the Portland Club. This is the last hand, on which

■Duplicate Rubber Bridge, not ordinary Duplicate Bridge, was being played. In one room there was a partial score of 60 in favour of the Portland Club. This club’s East bid “ Two Diamonds ” to the score and secured the game. In the other room, where there was no p'artjal score,, the Junior Carlton Club’s East bid up to a game call of “ Four Spades ” in an unlucky final effort to secure extra points, 'and went down two tricks vulnerable. The Portland 'Club thus scored on last hand in both rdoms. It was an interesting example of how file different state of the score in the two rooms can favour one side when playing Duplicate Rubbers and not ordinary Duplicate Bridge.

The Medium “Two” Bid.

When the “ Two Clubs ” ,gamedemand bid is in use “ Two ” bids can be made in the other three suits on game-invitation strength. This, roughly, means that if a player picks up a hand which is worth seven playing tricks in the suit of his 'Choice, he can make a “Two ” bid and thereby invite his partner to join In making a game bid if he holds about two tricks. If we deduct seven tricks from the total of thirteen we have six left, or two each for the other three players. In asking a partner for two tricks we are only asking him for his average II he can produce the two necessary 'tricks then a game Is normally assured, observing that the declarer is always entitled to count upon a trlok In the play. The reasons for choosing seven playing tricks as the minimum

(•By “ Grand Slam.”)

INTER-CLUB TOURNAMENT

standard l'or a “ Two ” bid are thus quite sound. While playing tricks are the important feature in these hands, Quick Tricks must not be overlooked. 11 is not enough that the hand should have seven playing tricks. It should also have a minimum of three Quick Tricks. The minimum standard of seven playing tricks can be reduced slightly if the Quick-Trick strength is more than three; thus, with three and a-half Quick Tricks the , playing tricks need only total ;slx and a-half, and with four Quick Tricks six. On no account, 'however, should Quick-Trick strength be shaded below ■three for a " Two ” bid merely because of great playing-tric,k strength A pre-emptive bid of three .or four ■should be used in the case of great playing-trick strength. Examples of “Two” Bids. The following hands are examples showing the strength and distribution which justify an opening (medium) “ Two ” bid: — HAND I. HAND 11. Spades KQJxxx Spades KQJxx Hearts A Q Hearts A Q x Diamonds K 10 x Diamonds K Q 9 Clubs x x Clubs x x HAND HI. Spades A K J x Hearts A K J x Diamonds J 10 x Clubs x x

An opening bid of “ Two Spades ” can be made on all of these three hands. Hand I. has three' Quick Tricks and seven playing tricks. Hand 11. has three and a-half Quick Tricks and six and a-half playing tricks. Hand 111. has four Quick Tricks and six playing tricks. 1 The above examples show the minimum strength on which the “ Two ” bid should be .made. If the distribution of the hand is weak, as in Hand 111. above, it is doubtful whether it Is not usually belter to open with a bid of “ One.” It is certainly better in the majority of cases of four-card suits to open the bidding as low as possible. The player who elects to use medium “ Two ” bids will find that hands with four-card suits such as Hand 111. present the most difficult problem in deciding between a “ One " bid and a 1,1 Two " bid. If dn doubt bid “ One !’ only. In regard to responses to these medium “ Two ” bids, it is only necessary to remember that the original bid has been made on seven playing tricks ■and that a response should be given on two playing tricks. As in other ■cases of support bidding, a response which changes the suit is evidence of high-card strength, and is encouraging, while a simple raise in the suit is the best the partner can do, and may be on distributional strength only.